Planners make way for higher education in industrial parks

Jeffrey Libby

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 9:34 a.m.

The Henderson Planning Commission on Thursday passed new regulations that would allow colleges and trade schools to be built in industrial parks, in part to make way for Nevada's first state college.

"The state college was the impetus," said Bristol Ellington, a city planner. "But we looked at the impact of the zoning amendments citywide."

The state university system is planning to build the college on 73 acres in the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park in southeast Henderson. City and university officials have applied for an additional 550 acres of federal land south of the city boundary to expand the college in succeeding years.

Just one resident spoke during the public hearing. Montgomery Liu, a San Bruno Avenue resident, said he was absolutely opposed to planning that would put students in the vicinity of power plants, corporate refueling stations, helioports and other industrial operations with the potential for large-scale accidents.

"What will be the perception of students as they pass a brand new chemical plant as they head through the gates to the college? It doesn't strike me as the best impression for a child," Liu said.

Planning Commissioner George Bochanis disagreed, saying that the amendments would give commissioners the ability to review plans on a case-by-case basis to "ensure compatibility."

The campus will be neighbor to a 385,000 square-foot trash bag manufacturing plant planned for 45 acres less than a half-mile from the college campus. A 396-unit RV park is planned for 40 acres in the area.

The state college is scheduled to open to students in 2002. Initially, classes will be held in rented space at a former vitamin factory in the industrial park. The city owns the building.

Planners said elementary and high schools would not be likely candidates for industrial parks, and a public hearing would be required before any schools would be allowed to be put in an industrial park.

The City Council will review the Planning Commission's recommendation Jan. 2.